FAQ's

Provent Therapy does not work for everyone. In recent clinical studies, 72% of obstructive sleep apnoea sufferers were successfully treated by Provent Therapy.

Contact your physician to see if Provent is right for you.

There is no cure for obstructive sleep apnoea. Untreated OSA has a number of potential serious side effects. These include excessive daytime sleepiness, increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, depression, increased risk or worsening of heart failure, and increased likelihood of driving or work-related accidents.

Depending upon the diagnosis, and the specific sleep disorder, treatment may involve one or more of the following :

• Medication (sleeping pills, antidepressants)
• Appliances (for sleep apnoea, bruxism)
• Changes in routine (a regular schedule for sleeping and waking)
• Changes in diet (reducing intake of alcohol and caffeine and other stimulants)
• Avoidance of stress
• A regular exercise program
• Weight reduction
• Psychotherapy
• Light therapy
• Surgery 

Sleep Services Australia sell the 10-night starter kit for $37.40.

Snoring is noisy breathing through the mouth and nose during sleep.

This is caused by partial upper airway obstruction, and occurs during sleep when the muscles of the upper airway relax and partially obstruct.

Up to 30% of the adult population snore regularly.

Provent Sleep Apnoea Therapy is a simple, non-invasive treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

The Provent Nasal Device uses a valve design that attaches over the nostrils and is secured in place with hypoallergenic adhesive. The valve opens and closes, redirecting air through small holes to create resistance upon breathing out. Because it's a small, single use, disposable device, it's also discreet and very convenient.

Insomnia is an experience of inadequate or poor quality sleep.

It may cause daytime sleepiness and impaired concentration,lethargy and irritability.

Insomnia can include:  

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep  
• Waking up too early in the morning   
• Feeling un-refreshed in the morning

Provent Sleep Apnoea Therapy utilises a proprietary MicroValve technology developed by Ventus Medical.

The device attaches over the nostrils with a hypoallergenic adhesive. During inhalation, the valve opens, allowing the user to breathe in freely. When exhaling, the valve closes and air passing through the nose is directed through two small air channels. This increases the pressure in the airway (called EPAP or expiratory positive airway pressure). This maintains pressure in the airway until the start of the next inspiration and helps to keep it open

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most common and effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea.

CPAP treats sleep apnoea by providing a gentle flow of positive air pressure through a mask to keep the airways open during sleep.

The initial appointment will take approximately 1.5 hours, It is at this appointment that you will trial a number of different masks to find the one that best suites your needs.

You will be provided with a mask and machine to take home with you to trial for a period of 4 weeks.

Over the course of the next 4 weeks you will have 3 subsequent visits where well-trained staff will monitor your progress, troubleshoot any problems that you may encounter and address any concerns you may have; all to ensure that you get the most out of your treatment.

• Age - as you get older, our muscle tone in the tissues of the throat is reduced.
• Overweight/Obesity - collections of fat may compress and narrow the throat.
• Abnormal nasal anatomy - such as deviated nasal septum and nasal polyps.
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
• Alcohol and certain medication such as tranquilisers or sleeping tablets.
• Sleeping on your back.
• Stress, overwork or overeating - Exaggerate conditions leading to snoring, producing over-relaxation of airway muscles and tissues;
• Smoking - though it is not a direct cause of snoring, smoking may contribute by producing excess mucus, which causes the membranes in the throat to swell and restrict the air passages

After you apply the Provent Device, you should notice the resistance created as you try to exhale.

Generally, users get used to this feeling after wearing for several nights.

Initial treatments for sufferers of snoring include:

• Weight reduction (especially if BMI is excessively high)
• Quitting smoking
• Keeping the nose as clear as possible by using a pharmaceutical nasal spray or nasal/snoring strips
• Sleep with the head of bed elevated (this reduces nocturnal nasal congestion)
• Use pillows under the head end of the mattress - only two thin or one thick on top of the mattress to maximise pharyngeal size.
• Reduce or stop consumption of alcohol in the evening (at least 3-4 hours prior to sleep)
• Check Thyroid functions

Sleep Services Australia specialises in home based sleep monitoring and professional treatment for a broad range of sleep problems, including Sleep Apnoea, Snoring, Periodic Leg Movements, and Insomnia.

Sleep Services Australia is owned by highly qualified respiratory and sleep physician Dr Linda Schachter, who reports on our sleep studies and provides clinical recommendations as to treatment.

Dr. Schachter is also available for specialist consultations with patients prior to, and after, their sleep studies. General practitioners can refer their patients to our physicians for an assessment of patients' sleep disorders and/or to implement specific treatment for sleep disorders.

Surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is usually not done unless other treatments have failed or you are unable or choose not to use other treatments.

Surgery Choices

• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty removes excess tissue in the throat to make the airway wider. It is the most common surgery to treat sleep apnoea in adults.
• Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy removes the tonsils and/or the adenoids. It is an option if you have enlarged tonsils and adenoids that are blocking your airway during sleep. This is often the first treatment option for children because enlarged tonsils and adenoids are usually the cause of their sleep apnoea.
• Other surgical procedures are used to repair bone and tissue problems in the mouth and throat.
• Tracheostomy creates a hole in the windpipe (trachea). A tube is then put in the hole to bring air in. Doctors rarely use this surgery because it may cause other health problems. But when other techniques have failed, almost all people who are treated with tracheostomy will be cured of their sleep apnoea.
• Bariatric surgery is done for weight loss. If you are extremely overweight (severely obese) and the excess weight is making your sleep apnoea worse, you may consider surgery to help you lose weight. Bariatric surgery can promote weight loss that improves sleep apnoea

Lifestyle/behavioral treatments for sleep disorders may include:

• Relaxation training
• Cognitive therapy
• Stimulus control (SC)
• Sleep restriction therapy (SRT)
• Sleep hygiene
• Relaxation
• Training

Yes, Provent Therapy can be used safely. In recent clinical studies, no severe, device-related adverse events were reported. 

Please refer to package instructions for precautions, contra-indications and further information.

Provent Therapy may not be appropriate for everyone.

If you have been diagnosed with OSA and you are considering Provent Therapy, you should speak to your physician to evaluate your individual medical needs.

Once on CPAP you should return once every 6 months to get your mask and machine serviced and to ensure that your treatment is still working appropriately.

It is recommended that a review sleep study be conducted once every 12 months and more often if you have lost or gained a marked amount of weight. *Yearly sleep studies are covered by Medicare.

A custom-made MAS may take a week or longer for it to be fitted.